This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
